Libellés

Thursday, May 07, 2009

Lycée Chaptal

Last evening I had a meeting rue des Dames and on the way out I saw this. On the right a typical building of the Batignolles area (a quarter in the North-West of Paris) and in the background a piece of Le Lycée Chaptal, a high school built between 1866 and 1876 that was originally used to teach Chemistry and Physics to the army officers of Napoleon the 3rd. A very Parisian scene, no doubt.

I tried, this time, to find out about the name - Chaptal, but to no avail. I tried a dictionary and Wikipedia, but, no, there was nothing.

Is Chaptal someone's name? Or a French word for something??!! Does anyone know!? Thanks in advance if you can tell me. : )

I have to tell you all that the build-up is really getting to me. I'm growing more and more jealous that I cannot be at the PDP pique-nique. I'm petty and sullen, despondent even. I mope at work and do not speak to anyone; I wear black and sit alone. I kick small stones down the street and cannot look up at a world which seems to be going gaily about its business, flowering in the clear spring air and the warming sun, whilst I grow more and more stooped under the burden of the unfairness of it all. Truly, life is a trial. ;}

(Well, that is a wee bit of an exaggeration, but I really do wish I could be there!)

I hope you all have wonderful, fantastic weather and have a fabulous time in the whispery soft dusk of a spring evening by the river.

Thib...forgot to congratulate you...two days in a row too, no doubt! I'll pour a Guinness for the King GF and for me (of course, I'll have to help you drink yours being that we do have an ocean betwixt us and all ... well you know.) Just remember, it is the thought that counts T-man. And I'm raising my mug (our mugs) to you right now. Sante! Hey Mister Thib, I think Carrie could go for a tall one too. She is feeling a little under le pont. Okay, all for one and one for all... Bottoms up. ;-)

> Carrie : Chaptal is french chemist who worked under Louis XVI, the Révolution, and Napoléon's governments. He made some improvments in different fields of chemistry mut is mostly known for having done a lot to publicise this science in France.

Oh my, a mystery! I imagine that Nasty Caroline (GG?) knows Eric from the good old days in the quartier, or is someone who knows him well enough already to have learned what street he grew up on. How else to pick 'Caroline' out of the ciel?! Who is this masked memorializer in our midst?

And Coltrane and Thib - I rarely drink beer, but when I do, Guinness is a favorite. So, I'll raise a glass with you anytime!

Thanks, Nasty GG, for the info on Chaptal - I love all those 17th/18th/19th century French scientists - they were on fire!! But I'll remember Chaptal for his publicizing. I wish there were more encouragement of the sciences in the states. We suffer because there isn't.

But, now, you absolutely must tell - were you one of Eric's boys in the hood? Are you Nasty Caroline?? And what exactly, were les crimes???!!!! I'm on fire with curiosity!!!

I can't tell you who this Nasty Caroline is, but I guess you'd better come to the PDP picnic. I'm sure if you let her drink enough, she might very well give some off-the-record informations about Eric's past crimes…

Visited Batignolles for the first time this year. What struck me was the number of couples with young children on the streets - it seems to be very popular with young families. Not as touristy as the usual suspects and has a nice atmosphere with plenty of interesting bars and restaurants. Thnking of staying there next time in Paris for a change of scene.

It's a great shot, beautifully composed, Eric—in a quartier a lot of folks probably never set foot in.

Carrie -- It's uncanny—you have described my exact mood! Thank you for your articulate (and oh so funny) depiction. I was even offered a free trip to Paris (to spend a few days there with my bro and niece, then attend le pique-nique), and I actually had to turn it down because of work! Can you believe it? I'm trying to fight down my green demons and I really do hope that every lucky dog who CAN be there will have a super fabulous time.May I have one of those beers, please, Coltrane?